1280
PENANG
The influence of the regular monsoon is more distinctly felt at Penang than in the most easterly part of the Straits of Malacca, owing to the wideness of the latter to the west and vicinity to the Bay of Bengal. During the north-easterly monsoon, from November to March inclusive, clear settled weather prevails, and in the south-westerly, from April to October, the rains take place. But neither rain nor drought is of long- continuance, The average heat of the year at the level of the sea is 80°, and at the height of 2,500 feet, the highest inhabited point, 70°, the annual range being about 20o. Where there is free ventilation the climate is superior in salubrity to that of any other tropical one.
Of mammals, the principal species are monkeys, and two species of iverrida the musang and binturong. The ornithology calls for no special remarks. The island is a happy hunting ground for the entomologist, numerous fine species of lepidoptera frequenting the hills. The botany of Penang is perhaps better known than that of any part of the Peninsula, and, for the area involved, is particularly rich. Palms, bamboos, banana and other fruit-trees, and nutmegs clothe the hillsides, while ferns are also plentiful. The high land permits of the cultivation of many flowers and other plants which will not thrive in the flat level lands of Singapore or Malacca.
As evinced by its name, the chief product of Penang is the betel nut, which, with copra and all kinds of fruit and nutmegs, is the only indigenous article of trade. Nut- megs were at one time a most important branch of industry, but the blight, which simultaneously affected the whole Peninsula, destroyed it. Their cultivation has, how- ever, now been resumed, and Penang nutmegs stand high in the market. There is no agriculture properly so called. Pepper was at one period of its early history produced to the extent of three and a half million pounds annually; but the competition of other places, notably of Netherlands-India, proved fatal, and it is now only cultivated in small patches, and is not classed as an article of export trade. Tapioca, Coconuts, Gutta, Rubber and Citronella are also among the products cultivated.
The total value of, the foreign imports and exports for 1913 and 1914 are given below:-
Imports Exports
Total
1913
....$142,354,022
117,466,386
$259,820,408
1914 $106,739,526
99,155,816
$205,895,342
The Singapore-Penang railway has its terminus at Prai, which is connected with the town by a ferry service.
The town possesses few attractions, and the public buildings are mediocre, with the exception of the Government Offices, a fine new block erected in 1889 near the jetty. St. George's Church is an unpretending edifice of 80 years' standing, centrally situated. There are also a Roman Catholic Church and several mission chapels. The Botanical Gardens and Waterfall are well worthy of a visit, and another place of interest at some distance from the town is the Chinese Temple at Ayer Itam. census of 1911 gave the total population of Penang and Province Wellesley as 270,537, as compared with 248,207 in 1901. The estimated mean population of the Settlement in 1914 was 288,437 (Penang Island 145,961, Province Wellesley 133,777, and Dindings 9,062).
The
DIRECTORY
(For Government Depts. see under G.)
ABRAHAM & Co., A., Wholesale Mer- chants. Importers of Watches, Clock and Watch Materials, Watch Chains, Boots and Shoes, etc.—23, Market Street; Tel. Ad: Abraham; A.B.C. Code 5th edition
A. Abraham, partner Silas Solomon," do. Isaac Brothers, do.
ADAMS & ALLAN, Advocates and Solicitors, Straits Settlements and Federated Malay States-Tel. Ad: Adallan
Hon. Mr. Arthur R. Adams, M.L.C. Geoffrey Norman Saye William Huxtable Thorne
Assistant Advocates and Solicitors-
J. Crabb Watt, A. W. de W. Harries
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